A new morning arrived.
Drake felt an itch on his back and suddenly jolted awake.
"...What's on my back?"
He turned around—
And froze on the spot.
Kushina was lying beside him, pressed intimately against his back.
"Drake-sama~ You're awake?"
Her soft, sweet voice sent a wave of goosebumps crawling across Drake's spine.
"White Zetsu.
CHANGE BACK. NOW."
"Oh."
Zetsu answered pitifully.
Zzz—
Kushina's form twisted and morphed back into the pale White Zetsu.
In the Courtyard
Drake sat on a chair while White Zetsu squatted obediently on the ground.
"Drake-sama… I was wrong."
Zetsu said with genuine guilt.
"And what exactly were you wrong about?"
Drake glared.
"I… shouldn't turn into someone you don't like."
"Keep thinking."
"Then… did I turn into someone you do like?" White Zetsu's eyes brightened.
"Try again."
"I… uh…"
Zetsu was lost.
Drake finally sighed deeply:
"Listen well—do NOT lie behind my back ever again!"
"Ah? O-okay!"
White Zetsu nodded like a disciplined student.
How did my life become like this…?
Drake felt mentally exhausted.
Just in case, he tossed a set of clothes at Zetsu.
"From now on, when you go out, JUST wear clothes.
Don't use Transformation Jutsu."
After this morning's nightmare, Drake decided Zetsu should avoid transforming altogether.
A simple outfit already made him look almost like a normal human anyway.
Zetsu put the clothes on and stretched his limbs.
"Drake-sama! If I wear a mask too, I bet I'll look even cooler!"
Drake: "…"
Before he could respond—
Whoosh!
An ANBU operative appeared.
"Drake, Lord Hokage summons you."
"Hm?"
Drake studied the masked man and realized he didn't recognize him.
"New guy?"
"Yes."
"No wonder."
Hokage's Office
When Drake entered, he didn't see the other members of Squad Nine.
A private meeting?
"Hm? Drake, take a look at this!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted his head from a pile of documents, smiling warmly.
He tossed over a booklet.
"Case Studies of the Will of Fire"
Drake glanced at the title, expression already speechless.
"Turn to the first page," Hiruzen urged kindly.
Drake opened it—
and froze.
"Even a dead-last can become a strong ninja!"
"Drake — a publicly known failure whose graduation score broke the academy's lowest record!"
"Yet he never gave up. Through silent hard work, he mastered Wood Release!"
"Don't give up! Work hard like Drake! Dedicate everything to the village!"
Drake stared at the contents.
He really wanted to shout:
"That's all nonsense!!"
"Well?"
Hiruzen approached, smiling expectantly.
"What do you think?"
"Average."
Drake shook his head.
"Hahaha! You've grown stronger, of course your standards rise!"
Hiruzen didn't get angry at all.
Instead, he seemed delighted.
"Drake, you're twelve this year, yes?"
"Yes?"
Drake felt something was off.
Is he trying to arrange a marriage or something?
"Twelve… If you hone yourself for ten more years, you'll be qualified to compete for the Hokage's seat."
"???"
Drake looked baffled.
This was definitely a prelude to something big.
"And I've decided—
I'm promoting you to ANBU Sub-Captain, responsible for managing the former Squad Nine members."
"So you called me just for that?" Drake frowned.
A sub-captain?
How was that different from what he already was?
Seeing Drake unconvinced, Hiruzen spoke even more directly:
"Drake…
Serve under me in ANBU for ten years.
After ten years, I will fully support you as the next Hokage."
He looked Drake in the eyes, tone firm and gentle.
Drake fell silent.
He rubbed his chin.
This line… sounded strangely familiar.
Where had he heard it before?
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
Another ANBU appeared.
"Hm? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Hiruzen scolded.
"I apologize, Lord Hokage! But this is urgent!"
The ANBU whispered something in his ear.
Hiruzen's expression instantly changed—absolute shock.
"What? Is this true?!"
"Absolutely!"
"Good! Good! Summon Obito immediately!"
Hiruzen could hardly hide his joy.
Sharingan AND Wood Release.
Obito possessed both traits?
This boy's potential far surpassed Drake and Yamato.
Regret rose in Hiruzen's chest.
Such a genius…
and Minato had rescued him first?
How cunning.
"Drake, since you aren't agreeing, then forget it."
Hiruzen waved impatiently.
Now that he had a better candidate, why choose "a defective product"?
Step! Step! Step!
Obito rushed in energetically.
"I'm here! I knew Hokage-sama would summon me!"
But as soon as he saw Drake standing beside Hiruzen—
His heart thumped painfully.
"You,you're here too?"
"What do you think?" Drake replied indifferently.
"Obito, don't mind him."
Hiruzen stepped forward warmly and grasped Obito's hand.
Obito's nerves tightened.
If Drake weren't here, he'd not be this tense.
But Drake was here.
"Obito… what is your dream?"
Hiruzen asked kindly.
"My… my dream is to become Hokage."
"Excellent! Truly excellent!"
Hiruzen's smile blossomed.
A boy who wants to be Hokage?
Perfect.
"You're turning twelve this year, right?"
"I'm almost thirteen."
"Well! With ten more years of training, you could definitely contend for Hokage!"
"Really?!"
"Of course."
"I'll work hard!" Obito clenched his fists.
"Obito…
Serve me in ANBU for ten years.
Ten years later—
I will fully support you as the next Hokage!"
Obito: "???"
He froze in shock.
Then he glanced at Drake again.
Instantly—
his excitement darkened.
"…No. I refuse."
"Hm?" Hiruzen blinked.
Obito shook his head firmly.
Even if he became Hokage, Drake would still control him.
Rather than becoming a puppet…
it was better to let Drake be Hokage first.
He'd aim to be the Hokage after Drake.
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